Mount Vesuvius: frequently asked questions
Is this the official Mount Vesuvius website?
No. Pompeii Vesuvius Visit is an independent visitor guide, not affiliated with the Ente Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. The Park sells the official tickets on vesuviopark.vivaticket.it. The tickets and tours featured here are sold by our partner Tiqets, a third party.
How long is the climb?
The Park's data sheet gives 4,010 m round trip, a highest point of 1,175 m and about 2 hours 30 minutes round trip, difficulty low. From the 1,000 m start the height gain is about 175 m (our calculation).
Can I see the crater?
Yes, from the viewpoints along the path. The rim and the upper path on the summit are closed to visitors, and the full loop is not walkable at the moment because of works.
Can I go without booking?
No. Ticket sales are online only and access is by pre-purchase. There are 10 last-minute tickets per slot, sold from the wifi near the entrance 30 minutes before the slot.
What happens if the Gran Cono is closed for bad weather?
It closes automatically on days with an orange weather alert or higher, and the Park refunds the tickets of the slots in the closure automatically if they were bought on its ticketing site. For other sellers, check their conditions.
Is the bus included in the ticket?
Not in the Park's ticket, which is the access to the path. The EAV bus 808 from Pompeii and the Vesuvio Express from Ercolano are separate services. Some products on this page add transport.
Can I drive up to the crater?
No. The 1,000 m square has no parking and the stretch from the 800 m junction is closed to ordinary cars. Leave the car at the 800 m car park and continue on foot or by the municipal shuttle.
Can children go?
Children under 6 enter free with an adult and an ID. We could not confirm any other age limit, nor the rules on pushchairs and dogs.
Is Vesuvius active?
The last eruption was in March 1944. In September 2026 the INGV Osservatorio Vesuviano gave the alert level as green, with the volcano quiescent.
Is there a guide?
The Park requires each group to be accompanied above 1,000 m. Its page does not say if the cost is separate, and the guide service has been reorganised from 16 October 2026: do not count on a guide being included.
What should I wear?
The Park recommends suitable shoes, great care and a check of the weather conditions. As advice, bring a layer for the wind, since it is cooler at the top than at the base.
Can I combine Mount Vesuvius with Pompeii?
Yes, with the 808 bus from Piazza Anfiteatro, 55 minutes each way. It is a long day: see our plan for Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius in one day.